Falls are one of the biggest workplace safety hazards. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that 865 employees were injured and hundreds of thousands more were hurt in work-related falls in 2022 alone. As a worker, a fall can leave you with a serious injury and high costs. Here, our Virginia workers’ compensation attorney provides an overview of work-related fall accident claims.
Leading Causes of Workplace Fall Accidents
Fall accidents in the workplace can happen for a wide range of different reasons. There are two broad categories of falls: 1) Slip/trip and falls and 2) Falls from height. While all falls can cause serious injuries, falling from any height is especially dangerous. Some of the leading causes of work-related fall accidents in Virginia include:
- Slippery or wet floors (unmarked):
- Cluttered walkways;
- Poor lighting, especially in stairways;
- Uneven surfaces;
- Improper use of ladders;
- Lack of guardrails or barriers; and
- Lack of proper fall protection.
Most Common Job-Related Fall Accident Injuries
A fall on the job can leave a worker with serious injuries, stacks of medical bills, and a lot of time off from the job. The incident can put a serious financial strain on the injured worker and their family. It is imperative that a worker gets immediate medical care after a bad fall. Fall injuries may arise with a delayed onset. Some of the most common workplace fall accident injuries include:
- Sprains and strains;
- Broken bones;
- Back injuries;
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs); and
- Spinal cord trauma.
You Can File for Workers’ Comp Benefits After a Work-Related Fall in Virginia
Hurt in a fall accident on the job in Virginia? You have the right to file for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. For a fall accident that leaves a worker with a severe injury—or a fatality—additional compensation may be sought for a permanent disability/impairment. Fall accident injuries should be reported to an employer right away. If you fail to notify your employer of a fall-related injury in a timely manner, you may be denied workers’ comp. Notably, workers’ compensation benefits are no-fault benefits—meaning you do not need to prove your employer was negligent to get compensation.
An Injured Worker May Have a Third Party Liability Claim After a Bad Fall
Beyond a workers’ compensation claim, an injured employer in Virginia may sometimes have an additional claim against a non-employer third party. Parties that may potentially be liable for a fall accident through a fault-based third party lawsuit include:
- Property owners;
- Contractors/subcontractors; and
- Equipment manufacturers.
Consult With Our Virginia Workplace Fall Injury Attorney Today
At Injured Workers’ Law Firm, our Virginia workers’ comp lawyers are committed to fighting for justice and the maximum financial benefits for clients. If you or your loved one was hurt in a job-related fall accident, we are here to get to work on your behalf. Give us a call at (804) 755-7755 or connect with us online to arrange your confidential initial appointment. With a main office in Richmond, we handle workplace fall accident claims throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.